Fastening device for antiskid-chains



E. A. TOMLIN.

FASTENING DEVICE FOR ANTISKID CHAINS.

Patented June 29, 1920.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD A. TOMLIN, 0F BONNER SPRINGS, KANSAS.

FASTENING DEVICE FOR ANTISKID-CHAINS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1920.

Application filed .Tanuary 27, 1920. Serial No. 354,374.

T 0 all whomz't may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD A. TOMLIN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Bonner Springs, county of \Vyandotte, and State of Kansas, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fastening Devices for Antiskid-Chains, of which the following is a complete specification.

The present invention relates to anti-skid chains for vehicle wheels, and aims to provide an improved form of fastening device for securing such chains in position when applied to the wheels.

Accordingly I have devised an improved fastening device for detachably securing together the ends of the side strands of the anti-skid chain, and the form of said device is such as to facilitate the connecting operation as well as the disengagement of the same from the chain when the latter is to be removed from the wheel.

It is also sought to provide a fastening means which will not only be convenient in its operation, but which will also enable the chain to be applied with a somewhat greater degree of snugness to the wheel.

With these objects in View the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating a form of embodiment of the improvement, after which the features therein deemed to be novel will be particularly set forth and claimed.

In the drawing-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of one of the fastening devices, shown in attached relation to the end portion of one of the side strands of an anti-skid chain;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same; and

Fig. 3 is a plan View, on a smaller scale, showing the end portions of both side strands of the chain connected together by a pair of the improved fastening devices.

Referring to the said drawing in detail, this illustrates the device as comprising a main or longitudinal portion 4 formed at one end with a hook 5 adapted to be permanently connected with one of the terminal links 6 of one of the side strands 7 of the anti-skid chain. At its other end the device,

is formed with a slightly bowed and outturned (that is, turned outwardly with ref erence to the position of the device when the chain is applied to a wheel) finger portion 8 adapted for engagement with the other terminal link 9 of the corresponding side strand 7, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The finger 8 is forked and provided with a pivot pin 10 for pivotally mounting a keeper or closure element 12, which is of approximately the same length as the main or longitudinal portion 4 of the device. The middle portion 13 of the closure element 12 is somewhat enlarged and provided with a suitable opening 14 for fitting over the end of a post 15 which is rigid with the middle portion of the main body a of the device and projects outwardly therefrom. The post 15 is formed with a shoulder 16 adapted to limit the closing movement of the elenient 13 to a position approximately parallel with the main body portion at of the fastener. In this position said closure element is retained by means of a spring cotter 17 inserted through an opening 18 in the outer end of the post 15. Preferably the free end of the closure element 12 i of tapered form, for facilitating its insertion through the link 9 in the connecting operation.

It will thus be apparent that I have provided a simple as well as inexpensive device adapted to afford greater convenience in the application or removal of chains of the character described. The free tapered end of the closure element 13 provides a handle whereby the same may be conveniently taken hold. of and manipulated and readily inserted within the corresponding chain link 9 whenever the links 6 and 9 are to be connected. This structure also enables a suitable leverage action to be exerted for drawing up the terminals of the side strand 7 so that a more snugly fitting chain may be employed if desired, and the link 9 may obviously be readily drawn by the swinging movement of the element 13 into the concaved side of the finger 8, after which the element 13 is latched in closed position by the spring cotter 17. The parts are securely retained in this position until the chain is to be removed, when the free projecting end of the closure element 13 again forms a congaging the other of said terminals, a rigid post spaced from said finger and projecting outward from said main longitudinal portion, a closure element pivoted to the outer end of said finger and provided with an opening intermediate its ends for fitting over the outer end of said post, and a cotter pin fitted removably in the outer end of said post for retaining said closure element in closed position, the free end of said closure element projecting in position for finger-engitglllg purposes.

2. A fastening device for detachably connecting anti-skid chain terminals, comprising a main longitudinal portion secured to one of said terminals and having an outwardly projecting finger for detachably engaging the other of said terminals, a rigid post spaced from said finger and projecting outward from said main longitudinal por tion, and a closure element pivoted to the outer end of said finger and having its middle portion adapted for latching engagement with said post and its free end portion tapered and extending in'position for finger-engaging purposes.

In witness whereof I afiix my signature.

EDlVARD A. TOMLIN. 

